Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-01-05
Ciuyerisss Il, Extrenlis.

formerly OF Virginia but now of this city.
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CiuyerisEs in Extrenlis.
To The editor of the alexandria Gazette:
was pleased to see in your paper OF the
18th uitimo, that your voice is on the side
of mercy aud fair play in the Cluverius case,
willing to give the prisoner the benefit OF
doubt as the law directs claim that there
is no law il this, our land, to hang man
ON suspicion, or on The very lowest grade of
circums:antal evidence, as in this case.
We must rot reverse the rule and say. bet
ter ninety snd nine innocent persons should
suffer than one should man should escape.
Ii, however, the powers that be, determine
IN q sacrifice, and if it be that their victim
is innocent, his blood De upon their heads.
| and all believing as we do wash our hands
OF this matter. Acts, chap. XIV. Va. 16-"1t
is not the manner of the Romans to deliver
apy man TO die, before that he which is &C.
cused have the accusers face to face, and
haze license to apsCer for himself concerning
| the crime laid against him." Ciuverius has
not been permitted to answer for himself
as a witness, on his trial, concerning
the crime laid against him; he, in the court
room. after conviction, solemnly asserted
that he was an innocent man and in subse-
ouent written statement he re-affirms, My
hands are clean and my conscience is clear"
| He has right to claim the benefit OF this
declaration as the law now standa, which Is
strictly in accord with the law as quoted
above AS it stood 1887 years ago. The law
of tho State, and as quoted, presumes the
prisoner can and will tell the truth, under
oath, otherwise it would be worse than a
farce. yea. crime to allow him the privi-
lege OF laying perjury upon his soul. ex
cuse, 10 some extent, the prosecuting attor-
ney and laundering and perhaps uniformed
Jury, but the judges who passed upon his
case, and the Executive who must issue and
sign tho death warrant for his execution,
uust bear the responsibility in time and
| in eternity.
Is not history full of judicial errors and
sent moment, beginning with that. The
greatest of the Grecian philosophers, to
name them in any detail would require a
large volume. | viii reciie but one other
case, AS specimen, tho familiar to all his
toriaus. La the year 1899 Beatrice de Cenc,
a young and beautiful Italian girl of the
highest social standing, was cruelty wronged
nv an unnatural parent who shortly after
wards met with . violent death. This
Young daughter was accused, as particeps
crimins, OF parricide, and the poor girl, un-
der the direction Of court, was subjected
to cruel bodily torture-more than human
flesh could bear--in extorting an afiirma-
tive confession. The only way of relief for
d moment even. was TO say 1T is true, -
but instantly adding, 80 God, thou knowest
lif this be true or not" This
was the only evidence against her.
Pope Clement VIII, to his everlasting
shame, refused to interfere with the bloody
work Of the cruel judges, and she was led to
execution September II, 1899. AS soon,
however, as it was generally known at
Rome and throughout Italy the people were
shocked from centre to circumference, as 1t
does to this day shock all who read the
tragical account. 1t was found afterwards
she was innocent.
The Baltimore Sun of December 80 con-
lains an article from Richmond, Va, that
SAYS. Under the constitution it appears the
Governor has 10 power to pardon prisoner
sentenced to DEATH" This may be SO; but
what says the constitution? Art. iv, Sec D
and claus impart: "He has poper to remit
fines and penalties, &C., and, except when
the prost cution has been carried on by the
House of Delegates, to grant reprieceS and
l,ard0aS after cOnrictiOn, DC, and to commute
capital Punishment, &c" l claim the Gov
crnor can pardon as we'll as commute capital
punishment, even in cases where guilt Is
point blank: but where there is no reliable
proof i. il, submit, his highest duty to par
don from The effect of the wrong sentence
1t is power lodged with all executive
heads OF governments, whether kings, pres
idents or governors The Valerisn laws Of
Romo took the punishment OF desth from
the consuls and gave an appeal in all cases
to tie people, or coaSiiia centuriata, before
execution could he carried into effect.
While we have 30 such law here, yet indi-
rectIy this case has been appealed TO the
country with, as l read it, g decision in favor
Of the condemned man. Can our Governor
afford to disregard the sentiments of the
people in such q matter?
Some people appear to have been greatly
disappointed and worried because the pris-
oner did not make a confession of guilt in
stead OF reiteration OF his innocence, and
would like TO subject him to the process of
bodily torture for better results, though
trust this is only apparently, net really so.
I would not take upon my head the respons-
Utility of his death, as l understand it, for
the Offices and wealth of Virginia. [ have
nothing more to say, but still hope merci,
full Governor will reconsider; but should he
not do so fear he and Others will not be
able to sleep much on the night Of the 18th,
and perhaps for many nights thereafter.
Fauquier county, Va, Jan. 4. s.
CLUvERIUs-A dispatch from Richmond
last night says: 'It is understood that .
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